Eric Chelle, Nigeria’s coach, has accused a DR Congo staff member of “voodoo” during the penalty shootout in Sunday’s World Cup playoff in Rabat, in which the Super Eagles were eliminated from contention for the 2026 tournament.
The term “voodoo” is generally used to describe a variety of traditional spiritual or ritual activities, although it is sometimes used incorrectly or misleadingly in athletic contexts.
Players, coaches, or spectators may allege that opponents utilize it to affect the outcome of a game, implying that supernatural powers rather than ability or strategy were to blame for the outcome.
Nigeria’s campaign ended with a 4-3 penalty defeat after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The result means that the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive year.
In a video posted by ESPN Africa on X on Monday, Chelle told media that he responded out of irritation after witnessing repeated signals from a member of DR Congo’s technical area during the video assistant referee evaluation for a penalty.
“During all the penalty decisions, a guy from Congo did some voodoo… Every time, every time, every time. So this is why I was a little nervous after him,” he said.
When asked to describe what he saw, Chelle replied, indicating, “Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”
The assertions couldn’t be independently verified.
Nigeria had taken an early lead through Frank Onyeka in the third minute before M. Elia drew DR Congo level in the 32nd minute.
Both teams created chances in extra time, but neither won.
The shootout went back and forth.
Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon failed to convert Nigeria’s early kicks, while Nwabali stopped DR Congo’s first attempt to keep the game tied.
Akor Adams’ effort kept Nigeria in the contest until DR Congo scored their fourth penalty, securing a 4-3 triumph.
The outcome places DR Congo in an intercontinental playoff for one of the remaining seats to the expanded 48-team World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria advanced to the final after a dramatic 4-1 extra-time win against Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final, while DR Congo overcame Cameroon 1-0.
The Leopards are currently awaiting their playoff opponent as their qualification campaign continues, but the Super Eagles’ dreams ended in a terrible way in Rabat.
